Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. I. WHAT IS TO RE CRUCIFIED? 1. What the "flesh" is may be known by its works (verses 19-21). 2. But it is not the works, but the worker that is to be crucified. From whence, then, do these evils proceed? (1) From the depravity of the heart, says one; which is perfectly true, but somewhat vague, and does not wholly meet the case. (2) From the devil, says another; but while he fosters evil works, he is not the worker. (3) From within, out of the heart, says Christ, out of man's true inmost self. From which we learn that sin must not be referred to defective legislation, pernicious training, the force of evil custom and bad example. But you say, "There are many sins of which I am not guilty:" You need not break all the laws of England to be a law breaker. So one sin evinces the agency of the evil heart. II. WHAT IS MEANT BY CRUCIFYING IT? In physical crucifixion there are three stages. So in moral. 1. The old Adam is arraigned, found guilty, sentenced, and visited with all the marks of hatred and contempt, But this is not enough (Romans 7:14, 21-24). 2. The old Adam is actually nailed to the cross, and dying — but this is only "being crucified"; the flesh still lives and pleads hard. 3. The old Adam dies. When this stage is reached, a glorious power is acquired over self and sin. (Luke H. Wiseman, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.WEB: Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. |
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